Artificial hand



14,1947 A. H. STONE 2,429,001

' ARTIFICIAL mum Fild Dec. 28, 1946 2 sheets sheet 1 ea V .32 j? 3.926 36 '70 "arr-Quay Oct. 14,1947. A. H; STONE ,0

' ARTIFICIAL HAND Filed Dec. 28, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 14. 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE ARTIFICIAL HAND Axel H. Stone, Detroit, Mich.

Application December 28, 1946, Serial No. 719,050

10 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an artificial hand adapted for mounting on the stump of the fore-arm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial hand which will be simple in structure, economical to manufacture, easily and quickly attached, easily operated and possessed of a maximum efiiciency.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an artificial hand having movable fingers and provided with a mechanism whereby the fingers may be moved to closed and open position at will.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the fingers may be secured in either open or closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an artificial hand having movable fingers and thumb so arrangedand constructed that the user may close them over an object and then, by actuating the mechanism, secure the fingers and thumb in gripping relation to the object so that it may be picked up.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an artificial hand having a finger and thumb operating mechanism which may be easily and quickly released for movement to inoperative or normal position.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated without departing from the invention and it is intended that such shall be embraced within the scope of the claims which form a part hereof.

Forming a part of this specification are drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention,

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the invention with one of the housing sections removed,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig; 2, on a reduced scale showing the parts in different position,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the finger spring mechanism,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-1 of Fig. 2, Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the parts of the invention,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective View of the upper end of one of the housing sections,

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line llll of Fig. 3.

As shown-in the drawings, the invention comprises a hollow housing embodying the sections I5 and I6 each of which is provided, at its upper end, with the head I8 and I1 respectively which serve to close the upper end of the housing. The head 18 is cut away as at l9 to form a-c1earance for the bar 20 which is pivotally connected by means of the pin 21 to the downwardly projecting neck 22 formed on the cup 23. Embracing the cup 23 and projecting upwardfy therefrom is a flexible sleeve which may embrace the fore-arm, the stub being positioned in the cup 23. This bar 20 is pivotally connected by means of the pin 25 to the section heads I l and [8 as clearlyshown inFig. 4, and projecting downwardly from the bar is the plate 26 which has an elongatedslot 21 formed in its lower end. Projecting through'this slot 27 is the angularly turned portion 23 having notches 29 formed therein, this. portion 28 being angularly turned from the lower end of the rocker pfate 30 which is pivotally mounted by means of the screws 3| to the inner face of the section I5. Projecting outwardly from one side of the plate 30 is a tongue 33 having a doubled over portion 32. Projecting outwardly from the plate 30 at the opposite end is the extension 34 having the lug 35 formed thereon and adapted to engage the angularly turned'portion 36 with a spring3l which bears, at its opposite end, against the 'side wall 61 of the section l5, this section l5 having a similar side wall at the opposite edge as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7. The spring rod 3'! is under tension so that the parts are nor? mally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 2 and when moved out of this position, the movement is against the compression or resiiiency of the spring 31. Mounted on the extension, 34 isa pivotally mounted detent 38' which is adapted to engage a boss 39 projecting outwardly from the end of the surface 39a. Pivotally connected to one end of the detent 38 is a link 40 which connects to the link 4|. This link 4|, as .clearly shown in Fig. 5, is threaded into the pin 42 which is rockably mounted on the section I5. This link 4! extends also through the doubled over portion 43 of a resilient strip of metal which projects out.- wardly from the housing through the opening 44 and which is provided with the planar portions 46 and 41 and the arcuate portions 48 and 49 which are positioned within the covering 45 preferably formed of flexible material so as to thus provide a thumb. This thumb member will be bendable at the ends of the bones 48 and 49 within'certain 3 limits, the resilient strip 43 serving to normally maintain the thumb covering 45 in the position shown in Fig. 5. Upon pressure being exerted on the end of this thumb member, it may be flexed outwardly so that the outer portion will approach alignment with the adjacent portion.

Formed in the lower end wall of the housing is a plurality of openings 50 and in each of these openings 50 a finger member is provided. The construction of these finger members, :and the operation of them, is the same for all so that a description of one will sufiice for all.

Projecting inwardly from the wall 60 is a boss 56, embracing which is one end of a tube '51, the opposite end embracing a boss 58 which is secured to the wall 6| by means of the screws '59. Encircling this tube or rod is the eyelet .52 formed by doubling over the resilient band which comprises also planar portions 63, 65, and .B-l and the arcuate portions 64, 66 and 68 as clearly seen ZE'i 4, these parts being enclosed in a flexible covering 69. The metal 53 is sufficiently resilient so as to normally retain the parts in their position as shown full line on Fig. 4. However, upon pressure being exerted on the outer end of the finger section, a flexing at the ends of the .bones may be accomplished.

Secured at one .end to the extension 34 and secured at its opposite end and wrapped around ,a member .51, clearly shown in 2, is a flexible member 10. Secured to the doubled-over portion 32, at one of its ends, is a flexible member II which is also secured at its opposite end and wrapped around the member 51. The construction is such that upon rocking of the cam plate .30 one or the other of the members In or II will be unwound so as to effect a rotationof the member 51. As one of these flexible members, 10 or II, is unwound, the .other will be wound. .As the member .51 is rotated, since the eyelet 62 is fixedly mounted thereon, the finger elements will also be rocked. It will be noted that the flexible member 10 is wound around the member 51 in a direction opposite to the winding of the member H.

When the cam plate 3.0 is rocked to the posit n hown in Fig, .3, the flexible elem t ll wi l be unw und o a t rota e the member 5! clockwise in Fig, 4, thus moving the finger members to closing position and also effecting a movement of t e thumb m m er into closin position, When the plate 3.0 is rocked, the detent 13? ill id along the Surface 3.9a until it strikes the boss or pin 39 whereupon the detent will rock to quickly actuate the links 40 and 4| for moving the thumb piece toward open position.

As shown in Fi 9, the neck 20 is provided with the recess 72 to provide a tongue 13. The head l8, as shown in Fig. 1.0 at the cut away portion I9, is provided with a plurality of spaced grooves 14. The construction is such that when the bar 20 is rocked to the position shown in 4, the groove 1.4 will have been disengaged from the tongue 13 so that the housing sections and I6 may then be rocked on the pivot 25. By having a plurality of grooves M, the housing may be secured'relatively to the neck 22 in its various ad usted p sitions by having t t u 13 engage between the selected groove 14.

In use, when the cup-shaped member 23 has been pr per y s ured to the arm u p, the u may, by pressing the finger tips against a solid object, rock the, housing on the pivot 21 to the position shown in Fig. 4, so that the tongue 13 has di enga ed om the groove '14. The u may then, by directing the proper thrust to the housing or side 6!, rock the same on the pivot 25, whereas through a rocking of the housing relative to the plate 23 it will effect a rocking of the cam plate 36 to the desired position of opening of the fingers and thumb, as shown in Fig. 3. When this position has been reached, a relative rocking of the neck 22 and the head I! and I8 is effected so that the tongue '53 will engage in the groove Mythus, securing the housing against further rocldng on the pivot '25 and retaining the fingers and thumb piece in the open position to which they have been moved. By providing a plurality of grooves 74, it is obvious that the degree of opening of the finger pieces and the thumb piece may be varied. When it is desired to bring the fingers into gripping engagement with an object, by rocking the housing on pivot vpin 2i disengaging tongue 13 from groove M, as shown in Fig. 4, the spring 31 will rotate cam 38 to effect a closing of the fingers, and simultaneously by the cams engagement with plate 26 effect a rocking of the housing from position shown in Fig. 3 to position shown in Fig. 2, or until the object to be grasped is firmly gripped by the fingers and thumb so it may be safely lifted and carried. To prevent crushing the object from the pressure of the spring 31, a rocking of the housing on pivot pin 2! for reengagement of tongue 13 into groove M, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4,1021; the fingers in a set position. To release the object, or open the fingers, a release of tongue 73 from groove M and a thrust or pressure applied against the side SI of the housing to effect a rocking of the housing about pivot pin .25, towards position shown in Fig. 3, will effect a rotation of cam 30 to move the fingers into open position. Thus, various degrees of opening and closing of the fingers can be had by rocking the housing on pin 25 and the position can be locked or released by rocking the housing about pin 2 I. By having the various degrees of closing, various size objects may thus be gripped by the finger pieces and thumb piece.

Experience has shown that an artificial hand of this structure is one which is highly efii-cient and one which may be easily and quickly operated by a person after a brief time. It is also suificiently light so that no discomfort is effected.

What I claim as new is:

1. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a wrist engaging portion adapted for attachment to the stump of a forearm; a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a bar positioned in said housing and pivotally connected adjacent the upper end'thereof and projecting outwardly from one end of said housing; means for pivotally connecting the outwardly projecting end of said bar to said wrist engaging portion for pivotal movement relatively thereto at right angles to the direction of movement of said housing on said bar; an extension plate on said bar having a slot formed therein; a rockably mounted plate in said housing; means on said plate projecting through said slot for connecting said plate and said extension together; a tube positioned in said housing at the lower end thereof; a plurality of finger forming members connected to said tube and projecting outwardly from said bottom; means for rotating said tube in one direction upon the movement of said rockable plate in one direction and means for rotating said tube in the opposite direction upon rocking of said rockable plate in the opposits direction for alternatively opening and closing said finger forming members, the connection of said extension plate and said rocker plate being such that a' rocking of said extension plate will effect a rocking of said rocker plate.

2. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing shaped to simulate the upper portion of a hand; a bar pivotally mounted in said housing and projecting outwardly at one end beyond said housing; a wrist engaging portion adapted for engaging the stub of a forearm; means for pivotally connecting said outwardly projecting end of said bar to said wrist engaglng portion; means for securing said housing against rocking movement on the pivot of said bar and adjusting the positionofsaid housing relatively to said bar; a slot bearing plate forming an extension of said bar; a rocker plate pivotally mounted in said housing; means carried by said rocker bar for engaging the slot of said slot bearing plate in such a manner that a rocking of said bar will efiect a rocking of said rocker plate; finger forming members mounted on said housing; and means associated with said finger forming members for effecting an opening and closing. of said housing upon the rocking of said rocker plate in opposite directions .3. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a bar positioned in said housing and projecting outwardly from one end thereof; means for pivotally mounting said bar on said housing for rockable movement relatively to each other; a wrist engaging portion adapted for attachment to the stub of a forearm; means for pivotally connecting said wrist engaging portion to the outwardly projecting end of said bar for rocking in a direction opposite or at right angles to the direction of rocking of said housing relatively to said bar; a rocker plate pivotally mounted in said housing; a plurality of finger forming members movably mounted on said housing and extending outwardly therefrom; flexible means connected to said rocker plate and adapted upon rocking of said plate in one direction for moving said fingers to open position and upon rocking in the opposite direction for moving said fingers to closing position.

4. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a bar positioned in said housing and projecting outwardly from one end thereof; means for pivotally mounting said bar on said housing for rockable movement relatively to each other; a wrist engaging portion adapted for attachment to the stub of a forearm; means for pivotally connecting said wrist engaging portion to the outwardly projecting end of said bar for rocking in a direction opposite or at right angles to the direction of rocking of said housing relatively to said bar; a rocker plate pivotally mounted in said housing; a plurality of finger forming members movably mounted on said housing and extending outwardly therefrom; flexible means connected to said rocker plate and adapted upon rocking of said plate in one direction for moving said fingers to open position and upon rocking in the opposite direction for moving said fingers to closing position; and means for rocking said rocker plate upon relative movement of said bar and said housing.

5. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a bar positioned in said housing and projecting outwardly from one end thereof; means for pivotally mounting said bar on said housing for rockablemovement relatively to each other; a wrist engaging portion adapted for attachment to the stub of a forearm; means for pivotally connecting said wrist engaging portion to the outwardly projecting end of said bar for rocking in a direction opposite or at right angles to the direction of rocking of said housing relatively to said bar; a rocker plate pivotally mounted in said housing; a plurality of finger forming members movably mounted on said housing and extending outwardly therefrom; flexible means connected to said rocker plate and adapted upon rocking of said plate in one direction for moving said fingers to open position and upon rocking in the opposite direction for moving said fingers to closin position; and means for rocking said rocker plate upon relative movement of said bar and said housing; and means for securing said housing in fixed relation in various positions relatively to said bar.

6. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housingsimulating the upper portion of a hand; a barpositioned in said housing and projecting outwardly from one end thereof; means for pivotally mounting said bar on said housing for rockable movement relatively to each other; a wrist engaging portion adapted for attachment to the stub of a fore-arm; means for pivotally connecting said Wrist engaging portion to the outwardly projecting end of said bar for rocking in a, direction opposite or at right angles to the direction of rocking of said housing relatively to said bar; a rocker plate pivotally mounted in said housing; a plurality of finger forming members movably mounted on said housing and extending outwardly therefrom; flexible means connected to said rock-er plate and adapted upon rocking of said plate in one direction for moving said fingers to open position and upon rocking in the opposite direction for moving said fingers to closing position; and means for rocking said rocker plate upon relative movement of said bar and said housing; and means for securing said housing in fixed relation in various positions relatively to said bar; a thumb forming member movably mounted on said housing; and link means for moving said thumb forming member from one position to another upon rocking of said rocker plate.

7. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a rotatable member mounted in said housing at the lower end thereof; a plurality of finger forming members; means for mounting said finger forming members on said rotatable member for moving in unison therewith, the rotation of said member in one direction effecting a movement of said finger to open position and a rotation in the opposite direction effecting a movement of said fingers in closed position; flexible means wound around said rotatable member; a rockable plate mounted in said housing and connected to said flexible means and adapted upon rocking in one direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in one direction and upon rocking in the opposite direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in the opposite direction.

8. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a rotatable member mounted in said housing at the lower end thereof; a plurality of finger forming members; means for mounting said finger forming members on said rotatable member for moving in unison therewith, the rotation of said member in one direction effecting a movement of said finger to open position and a rotation in the opposite direction effecting a movement of said fingers in closed position; flexible means wound around said rotatable member; a rockable plate mounted in said housing and connected to said flexible means and adapted upon rocking in one direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in one direction and upon rocking in the opposite direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in the opposite direction; and swingable means positioned in said housing for effecting, at will, a rocking of said rockable plate.

9. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a, housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a rotatable member mounted in said housing at the lower end thereof; a plurality of finger forming members; means for mounting said finger forming members on said rotatable member for moving in unison therewith, the retation of said member in one direction efiecting a movement of said finger to open position and a rotation in the opposite direction effecting a movement of said fingers in closed position; flexible means wound around said rotatable member; a rockable plate mounted in said housing and connected to said flexible means and adapted upon rocking in one direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in one direction and upon rocking in the opposite direction for efiecting a rotation-of said rotatable member in the opposite direction; and swingable means positioned in said housing for effecting, at will, a

8 rocking of said rockable plate; and means for securing said last named means in fixed relation to said housing in various positions.

10. An artificial hand of the class described, comprising: a housing simulating the upper portion of a hand; a rotatable member mounted in said housing at the lower end thereof; a plurality of finger forming members; means for mounting said finger forming members on said rotatable member for moving in unison therewith, the rotation of said member in one direction effecting a movement of said finger to open position and a rotation in the opposite direction effecting a movement of said fingers in closed position; flexible means wound around said rotatable member; a rockable plate mounted in said housing and connected to said flexible means and adapted upon rocking in one direction for eifecting a rotation of said rotatable member in one direc tion and upon rocking in the opposite direction for effecting a rotation of said rotatable member in the opposite direction; and swingable means positioned in said housing for effecting, at will, a rocking of said rockable plate; and means for securing said last named means in fixed relation to said housing in Various positions; a thumb forming member; means for swingably mounting said thumb forming member On said housing adapted for movement to open and closed position; and means actuated by said rockable plate for moving said thumb forming member to various positions upon rocking of said rockable plate in either direction.

AXEL H. STONE 

